Women&#39;s Close-Fitting Garment for Water Sports

ABSTRACT

The inventive women&#39;s close-fitting garment for water sports consists of an assembly of extensible and waterproof panels, in particular, containing an elastomer, for example, of a polychloroprene-type, which are assembled along first assembling lines. Said garment comprises at least one mammary three-dimensional panel for covering each breast and preferably the independent mammary panels which are three-dimensionally shaped in such a way that a breast is covered. Each mammary panel is provided with a second assembling line, which corresponds to the assembly of two edges of a cutting, in particular V-shaped, and is used for three-dimensionally shaping the panel.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This is a 371 national phase application of PCT/FR2006/001902 filed 4 Aug. 2006, claiming priority to French Patent Applications No. FR 0508353 filed 4 Aug. 2005, and No. FR 0602221 filed 14 Mar. 2006, respectively, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This present invention concerns the field of garments specially designed for the practise of aquatic and, in particular, sub-aquatic sports.

More particularly, it concerns a garment of this type for women.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of aquatic sports, one is familiar particularly with a costume, whether for surfing, diving, boating or windsurfing, that takes the form of a garment covering virtually the whole of the body, with the exception of the head, the hands and the feet. A surfing costume has as its main function to form a waterproof and insulating barrier between the body and the water. It is generally formed from a collection of stretchable panels which are assembled to each other, including a foam layer, of neoprene in particular. Due to the stretchable character of the panels of which it is made, the costume applies itself in a close fit onto all parts of the body. The foam layer confers upon the costume its properties of thermal insulation.

The manufacturers of surfing costumes offer costumes for men and costumes for women, with a specific range in each case corresponding to different sizes. It is therefore the elasticity of the costume that allows the fitting of the latter to the particular morphology of the user, and, in particular, to all bust configurations. Since the basic costume is designed so that it can be worn by a woman with a small bust, it can be seen that female users with a large bust will have their breasts compressed, and that the flowing of water between the breasts will be favoured, potentially giving rise to discomfort for the wearer or even an insurmountable inconvenience.

This same inconvenience is encountered in this manner in any close-fitting garment used for the practise of aquatic sports for women, whether it is a costume or garment for surfing, diving, windsurfing or generally any aquatic sport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject of this present invention is a close-fitting garment for the practise of aquatic sports for women, formed from a collection of stretchable and waterproof panels, assembled along first seams, with each panel including, in particular, an elastomer of the polychloroprene type for example, known also as neoprene.

In a characteristic manner, according to this present invention, this garment includes at least one mammary panel with a three-dimensional configuration designed for individual coverage of each of the two breasts.

Thus, according to the particular arrangement of this present invention, it is possible to propose a range of close-fitting garments of this type in which the three-dimensional configuration of the mammary panel varies as a function of the bust sizes, thus avoiding the crushing of the breasts during the wearing of the garment, and limiting the flow of water between the breasts.

In another embodiment, the garment includes two mammary panels that are independent of each other, where each panel has a three-dimensional configuration designed to cover one breast.

In a further embodiment, each mammary panel includes a second seam that corresponds to the assembly of both edges of a cut-out, in particular of the V-shaped type. It is this second seam that allows the panel to be given its three-dimensional configuration.

In one embodiment of this variant, where the mammary panel at least includes a fabric element and an elastomer layer attached to the fabric element, the second seam corresponds to the assembly of both edges of a cut-out, in particular of the V-shaped type, which is formed in at least the fabric element.

The elastomer layer can be a foam layer, that is of cellular elastomer, in particular of polychloroprene, such as neoprene, for example.

For each panel concerned, the junction between the fabric element and the elastomer layer can be obtained by any appropriate means, and in particular by lamination.

In another embodiment, the close-fitting garment of the present invention includes a transverse shaping element, of a less stretchable character than the stretchable panels, which is intended to lie on either side of the cleft between the breasts.

The function of this element is to ensure good moulding of the garment between the two breasts, thus allowing the garment to cling closely to the body, including in this area, in order to limit the flow of water between the breasts.

This transverse shaping element can be a strip of a material that is less stretchable than the other panels, placed on a single mammary panel or between two independent mammary panels.

It can also consist of a line of stitching or of transverse seaming.

In the variant according to which the garment includes two independent mammary panels, this line of stitching or of transverse seaming can be formed in the panel or panels that lie between the said two mammary panels.

In particular, this line of stitching or of transverse seaming can itself be a first seam of an upper front panel and a lower front panel.

We speak of a transverse seam when it concerns assembly of the panels by a technique other than stitching, in particular, by thermal bonding.

Concerning more particularly the second seam that is intended to provide each of the two mammary panels with its three-dimensional configuration, in another embodiment, the said second line extends from a first end, corresponding to the position of the nipple, up to a second end located at a first seam with a lateral panel.

In this case, both first ends of both second seams of the two mammary panels are preferably aligned with the transverse shaping element, in particular with the line of stitching or of transverse seaming that extends between the two mammary panels.

In a further embodiment, each second seam rises obliquely from the first to the second end at an angle of between 15° C. and 35° C.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This present invention will be understood more clearly on reading the description that follows of examples of the creation of surfing costumes for women, with one or two mammary panels and a three-dimensional configuration, designed for individual coverage of each of the two breasts, and illustrated in the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, from the front, of a costume with a single mammary panel;

FIG. 2 is a schematic frontal representation of a costume with two independent mammary panels;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the two mammary panels of FIG. 2 and of the panels adjacent to the latter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description concerns a surfing costume. It should be emphasised, however, that this does not in any way restrict this present invention, the subject of which is a close-fitting garment for the practise of an aquatic sport for women, with at least one mammary panel of a three-dimensional configuration designed for individual coverage of each of the two breasts. It could therefore consist of a garment that covers the bust only.

A surfing costume, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is formed from a collection of stretchable waterproof and preferably thermally insulated panels that are assembled to each other, with each panel including a first fabric element constituting the inner face of the garment, and at least one foam layer, in particular in neoprene, attached to the first fabric element.

In general, the foam layer is placed in a sandwich between the first fabric element and a second fabric element that constitutes the outer face of the garment.

In order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the costume, it is common to include, during assembly, some panels on the outer face of the garment that are in different colours, and/or to attach decorative elements to the outer face of the garment.

In addition, it is common to apply, to the exterior of the garment, a layer of waterproofing over the seams joining the different panels. This is of such a nature as to allow the achievement of perfect waterproofing of the garment.

FIG. 1 is a very schematic view of an example of a surfing costume 1 on the exterior of which there appears a single mammary panel 2 with a three-dimensional configuration, designed for individual coverage of each of the two breasts, as well as attached decorative elements 3, panels 4, 5 of different colour, and waterproofing layers 6 along the seams.

For its part, the surfing costume 7 of FIG. 2 has two mammary panels 8, 9, which are independent of each other and separated by an upper front panel 10 and a lower front panel 11. Each mammary panel 8, 9 is in a three-dimensional configuration that is designed for the coverage of each of the two breasts, namely the right breast in the case of mammary panel 8 and the left breast in the case of mammary panel 9.

This three-dimensional configuration can be designed for the particular morphology of the user, or in the context of bespoke tailoring, or as part of a range of costumes that are differentiated by this three-dimensional configuration of the mammary panel or panels.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the two mammary panels 8, 9 assembled, with the upper front panel 10, the lower front panel 11 and various other panels such as collar panel 12, the panels 13, 14 covering the tops of the shoulders and of the left and right arms, and the panels 15, 16 covering the underside of the left and right arms.

All these panels 8 to 16 are assembled to each other by first seams 17, using an assembly technique that is appropriate to the composition of the panels, whether this be by stitching, gluing, thermal bonding, heat-welding or other techniques. In this case, concerning panels with a foam layer in neoprene, the assembly of these panels is effected by stitching or gluing.

These first seams 17 are all naturally visible on both faces of the costume 7. As indicated previously, these first seams 17 can be covered with a layer of waterproofing intended firstly to provide perfect waterproofing of the costume at the junction of these various panels, and secondly to give a homogeneous appearance to the costume at all of these joins between the panels.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the three-dimensional configuration of each of the two mammary panels 8, 9 is obtained as a result of creating second seams 18, 19. Each of these second seams 18, 19 corresponds to the assembly of both edges 20, 21 of a cut-out, in particular of the V-shaped type, formed in the flat mammary panel 8. This technique of creating volume from a flat panel is well known in the field of garment make-up. In this present case, the shape formed by the cut-out is determined according to the three-dimensional configuration that one wishes to give to the mammary panels.

In FIG. 3, the front panels 10, 11 are placed in a single plane, while the two mammary panels 8, 9 are projecting in relation to the said plane, with the desired three-dimensional configuration.

When assembled, the different panels are positioned symmetrically in relation to the plane PP′ that corresponds to the vertical median plane of the user.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the second seam 18 extends between a first end 22 and a second end 23. The first end 22 is located in an area of the mammary panel 8 that corresponds to the position of the nipple. The second end 23 is located at a first seam 17 with a lateral panel 15, in this case, the panel covering the underside of the right arm. This second seam 18 rises obliquely from its first end 22 up to its second end 23 at an angle α in relation to an axis DD′ perpendicular to plane PP′. This angle α is of the order of 15° C. to 35° C., so that the second seam 18 is in contact with the top outer surface of the breast.

The configuration of each mammary panel 8, 9 is determined in order to provide individual coverage of each breast. Its lower periphery 8 a is in the form of a circular arc in particular, preferably a semicircle, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the example illustrated, the two mammary panels 8, 9 are separated from each other by a median area 24, in which is placed a transverse shaping element 25. This element 25 extends on either side of plane PP′, which corresponds to the position of the cleft between the breasts. The function of this shaping element 25 is to ensure the application of the costume 7 against the body in this area 24. In order to accomplish this function, it is necessary that this element 25 should have a less stretchable character than that of the foam layer located in this area 24.

It can consist of a strip of a material that is less stretchable than the foam layer, placed between the two independent mammary panels 8, 9, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the case where the costume has only a single mammary panel, it can consist of a strip placed at the corresponding zone 24. It can also consist of a line of stitching or of transverse seaming. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, this shaping element 25 is positioned at the junction between the upper front panel 10 and the lower front panel 11. In this case, the first seam 17 connecting the said two front panels 10, 11 can play the part of a shaping element 25.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transverse shaping element 25 is preferably located on axis DD', on which the first ends 22, 22′ of the second seams 18, 19 of the two mammary panels 8, 9 are aligned.

This present invention is not limited to the precise embodiments that have just been described by way of a non-exhaustive example.

In particular, the shaping of the mammary panel or panels could be achieved by techniques other than those used in garment make-up. In particular, it could consist of preliminary thermo-forming, using appropriate materials, to make up the mammary panels.

Moreover, in the above example, each stretchable and waterproof panel includes a first fabric element that is intended to constitute the inner face of the garment, and possibly a second fabric element that is intended to constitute the inner or outer face of the garment This does not limit this present invention in any way. Each panel can be either exclusively in elastomer, in particular being formed from a foam layer in polychloroprene, such as neoprene for example, that is in a trans-1,4-polychloroprene, or in elastomer associated with a single fabric element that is intended to constitute the outer face of the garment. The elastomer is advantageously cellular, thus forming a foam layer, preferably with closed cells, but this does not limit this present invention either. 

1. A close-fitting garment for the practise of aquatic sports for women, formed from a collection of stretchable and waterproof panels including an elastomer of the polychloroprene type, for example, assembled by means of first seams wherein, among the said collection of panels, there is at least one mammary panel of a three-dimensional configuration, designed to cover each of the two breasts.
 2. A garment according to claim 1, said garment including two independent mammary panels, each panel having a three-dimensional configuration designed to cover one breast.
 3. A garment according to claim 2, wherein each mammary panel includes a second seam corresponding to the assembly of both edges of a cut-out, in particular of the V-shaped type, the said second seam being intended to provide the panel with its three-dimensional configuration.
 4. A garment according to claim 3, wherein each mammary panel at least includes a fabric element and an elastomer layer, in particular a foam layer, attached to the said fabric element, and wherein the second seam corresponds to the assembly of both edges of a cut-out, in particular of the V-shaped type, which is formed in the fabric element at least.
 5. A garment according to claim 1, said garment having a transverse shaping element of a less stretchable character than the elastomer layer, intended to lie on either side of the cleft between the breasts.
 6. A garment according to, claim 2, wherein the shaping element is a line of stitching or of transverse seaming formed in the panel or panels extending between the two mammary panels.
 7. A garment according to claim 6, wherein the line of stitching or of transverse seaming is a first seam of an upper front panel and of a lower front panel.
 8. A garment according to claim 5, wherein the shaping element is a strip of a material that is less stretchable than the elastomer layer, placed on a single mammary panel or between two independent mammary panels.
 9. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the second seam extends from a first end corresponding to the position of the nipple, up to a second end located at a first seam with a lateral panel.
 10. A garment according to claim 6, wherein both of the inner ends of the second seams of the two mammary panels are aligned with the transverse shaping element.
 11. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the second seam rises obliquely toward the exterior at an angle α of between 15° C. and 35° C. 